The .458 SOCOM Advanced Weapons System offers the
operator a weapons platform with unsurpassed flexibility
in projecting heavy firepower using a wide array of
projectiles, depending on operational requirements. It
allows the user the ability to choose from the following
options by simply changing the type of ammunition used:

Hollow Point,
Full Metal Jacket, Solid, and Frangible style bullets,
ranging from
250 grains to 600 grains
(400-grain VLD bullets in bolt action rifles only). High velocity
(> 2000 feet/second) as well as Subsonic/Suppressed. Semi-Automatic
as well as Full-Automatic capability. Up to 15 round
magazine capacity.

The SinterFire ( www.sinterfire.com
) 300-grain frangible bullet in .458 caliber. These
can be loaded in the .458 SOCOM for use as a subsonic
close quarters/home defense round. The bullet
disintegrates upon impact with hard surfaces such as
interior walls, reducing the chance of injury to
innocent bystanders. With more muzzle energy than the
.45 ACP, this makes for an excellent choice for both
law enforcement and the private individual. Load data
for this bullet in the .458 SOCOM can be obtained from
SinterFire directly.

TERMINAL PERFORMANCE

Field-testing of the cartridge shows that reliability
with various loads using different projectiles is flawless
and that the accuracy is outstanding. Velocity testing of
the cartridge in a 24" barrel rifle using 300 grain
bullets has shown velocities as high as 2,100 feet/second,
rivaling modern high pressure loads in the venerable
.45-70 as well as the 444 Marlin.

In addition, the use of heavy (500 to 600 grains)
bullets, including specialized non-ricocheting frangible
bullets, lends itself superbly to subsonic ammunition for
suppressed applications.

This picture shows
a Barnes 300 gr. X Spitzer bullet recovered from the backstop
after having been fired at 1,800 fps. The round shown in
the background is a Hornady 500 gr. subsonic penetrator.

A
sampling of the vast choice of bullets available for
loading in the .458 SOCOM, ranging from 250 gr Barnes
XFN to 600 gr Barnes RN Originals, including such
esoterica like the Speer 500 gr AGS (Tungsten core)

By using the standard .223 caliber lower assembly and
UNMODIFIED magazines, the .458 SOCOM Advanced Weapons System can be deployed simply by switching upper assemblies. The standard 30-round .223 caliber magazine will hold 10 rounds of .458 SOCOM ammunition, whereas the 20-round magazine will hold 7, and the USA 40-round version up to 15 rounds. As such, the .458 SOCOM Advanced Weapons System lends itself perfectly for law enforcement and special operations applications.